HEALTHLINE 811 CLOSURE THE LATEST IN SASK PARTY HEALTHCARE CHAOS

HealthLine 811 is the latest healthcare service closure under the Sask. Party government. The essential 24-hour support line for health, mental health, and addictions treatment went down for nearly two hours this weekend.

“People count on 811 for medical help. For most people, talking with a nurse over the phone is the fastest option when family doctors are in short supply and our emergency rooms are ranked last place in Canada for wait times,” said Vicki Mowat, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Health. “For it to fail with no backup plan is unacceptable.”

The 811 closure is part of a troubling pattern of recent healthcare service closures under the Sask. Party government, including:

The Saskatoon City Hospital ER cutting hours due to doctor shortages

Beauval’s health centre lacking nursing services for nearly a month since January

ER closures in Porcupine Plain and nearby Tisdale, forcing residents to travel long distances for emergency care
Lloydminster’s CT scanner repeatedly shutting down due to short staffing, forcing patients to drive to the Battlefords — some dying before receiving care

“You can’t schedule a health emergency in advance. Healthcare should be available when and where you need it,” Meara Conway, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Rural and Remote Health.

“We need to invest in people and frontline services — not more bureaucracy and middle management. After 17 years in power and big losses last election, the Sask. Party is too tired to fix the problems they’ve created.

“We need a government with a plan to fix healthcare and ensure it’s there for every person, both now and into the future.”

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